Abstract
A new religious nationalism has evolved in the Islamic Republic of Iran as a means to reconcile the contestation between the Persian ethnic (Iraniyat) and the Islamic (Islamiyat) elements, which has marked Iranian nationalism since its inception. The new synthesis identifies Shiʿism with Iran and associates Sunni Islam with Arab tribalism. It commends Iran’s pre-Islamic cultural attributes and highlights its contribution to Islam. Concurrently, it presents Shiʿism as key factor in the endurance of Iranian nationalism and the preservation of Iran’s independence. It culminates with the claim that the Iranians are “God’s favorite nation,” destined to lead the Muslim world.
Highlights
A new religious nationalism has evolved in the Islamic Republic of Iran as a means to reconcile the contestation between the Persian ethnic (Iraniyat) and the Islamic (Islamiyat) elements, which has marked Iranian nationalism since its inception
Scholars have discussed the promotion in the Islamic Republic of Iran of nationalism that reconciles between Iraniyat and Islamiyat, but have not discussed some of its more important aspects in depth
The religious nationalist bond explains why Iranians converted from Zoroastrianism to Islam voluntarily, quicker, more thoroughly, and with greater passion and devotion than any other nation
Summary
The new religious nationalism, in addition to its homogenizing force mentioned above, appeared as a response to the weakening of the religious ardor in Iranian society and the continued appeal of nationalism among all social strata, including the ruling clergy. While Supreme Leader Ayatollah. Advocates of religious nationalism contended that the dichotomy between Iraniyat and Islamiyat was the product of Western-inspired modernity and was carried out by Western-oriented intellectuals.. Advocates of religious nationalism contended that the dichotomy between Iraniyat and Islamiyat was the product of Western-inspired modernity and was carried out by Western-oriented intellectuals.11 It was the Pahlavi regime which promoted exclusive Iraniyat and downgraded Islam.. Iraniyat–Islamiyat dichotomy, they argue the religious and national elements have been inseparable components of Iranian identity throughout history. Islamic nationalism contained two crucial foundations: the material (state building and economic modernization) and the spiritual-moral Islamic element. The fusion of these two elements enabled Iran to withstand Western-dominated globalization, which eradicated local identities elsewhere.
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